Avery loves to eat when she is around her Nanny! 
Mack and Papa H are a perfect match! 
Avery is in heaven with her Nanny and Nanny is in heaven with her granddaughter 
A couple's journey of raising three children in 3 years
Monday, March 28, 2011
Lake Weekend
We had been wanting to go to the lake for a weekend and finally found time to go. Hiram and Jane were also going, so we decided to stay with them. We went down on Saturday night and went straight for Lil' Rizzos-our favorite! When we got back to the lake house, Avery and Mack jumped into the bath and then it was bedtime. The adults stayed up and enjoyed our time talking (actually, Jane and I did ALL the talking)! It made getting up the next day a little tough, but Mark and I went for a run and we felt great. After that we spent time outside and then ate so much food. We were having such a great time we decided to stay until later that night. Then it was back to reality!
Avery loves to eat when she is around her Nanny!
Mack and Papa H are a perfect match! 
Avery is in heaven with her Nanny and Nanny is in heaven with her granddaughter
Avery loves to eat when she is around her Nanny! Mack and Papa H are a perfect match! Avery is in heaven with her Nanny and Nanny is in heaven with her granddaughter 
Party!!!!!!!!!!!!
Avery had her first birthday party to attend. It was for her cousin Cohan-he turned one. They had the party at the pool house in the neighborhood where Hiram and Jane live. We were really worried how our two would act because it was during their nap time, but they did great! It was so much fun and we were glad to be there with Cohan.
Mack was showing off with Uncle Jack and Aunt Meagan 
Cohan was a pro hitting his football
This is what happens when a 18 month old eats cake alone
So, I got this birthday idea from another website and I made one for Avery too...
You take a puffs container and punch holes in the top...
Then twist up pipe cleaners...
and decorate the outside. Tada you have a great idea for a present. It is to work on their hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills!
Mack was showing off with Uncle Jack and Aunt Meagan 
Cohan was a pro hitting his football 
This is what happens when a 18 month old eats cake alone 
So, I got this birthday idea from another website and I made one for Avery too... 
You take a puffs container and punch holes in the top... 
Then twist up pipe cleaners... 
and decorate the outside. Tada you have a great idea for a present. It is to work on their hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills!We can't wait for many more birthday parties! This one was great! Our next one will be for Millie at the City Museum-fun times!
Busy Times
Our kids don't have many playdates because they're always busy playing with cousins. I wanted to share some of the most resent times-I will have a lot more after this week because we are on spring break and are enjoying our time in St. Louis. The first pictures are from a night spent with Cohan. Mark and his brothers were working on pouring a new driveway for Scott and Heidi, so we came over to play. Then we decided to put them into the bath together. Aunt Heidi put the title behind them-so cute! They had fun and it wore them out! 
Uncle Mark loves to make pancakes and the girls love to eat them
Mack is very excited!
They are too cute!
Here is another night that Cohan came over to our house. We ate dinner together and then spent time playing
I had to include this picture-GRRRRR
Finally, we got the three of them!
Then there was a day when Miss Mallory had to miss and my mom came to watch Avery and Mack. Millie joined them as well and they had a blast! Millie was so tired after taking care of them.
Uncle Mark loves to make pancakes and the girls love to eat them 
Mack is very excited! 
They are too cute! 
Here is another night that Cohan came over to our house. We ate dinner together and then spent time playing 
I had to include this picture-GRRRRR 
Finally, we got the three of them! Below are some videos:
Thursday, March 3, 2011
30th Surprise!
Well my 30th birthday continued for over a week! First it was St. Louis, dinner alone with my husband, then the actual day which was fabulous, and a party on Saturday. This past Sunday the Watson side gave me another celebration and I wish I had a picture of the cake! Jane had this beautiful cake made-purple with white polka-dots topped off with a white bow (made of white chocolate). They also showered me with a plethora of gifts! I am very thankful!
The biggest surprise of all was the day of my party. Celine came over early, because evidently Mark couldn't deal with me:) (I was stressing about the party), she helped clean my entire house PLUS set everything up! Yes, she is a WONDERFUL friend. She had flowers, balloons, and food all set up.
Celine kept rushing me all day to hurry and get ready. I was wondering why I would have to get ready when I had so much time. But then Mark came home from running errands and ran upstairs. Celine and I were in my room getting ready and the doorbell rang. As I go outside...Robyn was on my porch! She has the video of the whole thing. It was so emotional! Robyn is my best friend from college and has since moved down to Mississippi. We had just gotten to a place in our lives where we were both moms and even got to be pregnant together, so it has been hard having her so far away. I enjoyed every minute I had with her and love everyone involved in the surprise (including my amazing husband who did everything for me and made the event special-I love you)
What amazing friends I have! The whole celebration turning 30 was the best!
The biggest surprise of all was the day of my party. Celine came over early, because evidently Mark couldn't deal with me:) (I was stressing about the party), she helped clean my entire house PLUS set everything up! Yes, she is a WONDERFUL friend. She had flowers, balloons, and food all set up.
Celine kept rushing me all day to hurry and get ready. I was wondering why I would have to get ready when I had so much time. But then Mark came home from running errands and ran upstairs. Celine and I were in my room getting ready and the doorbell rang. As I go outside...Robyn was on my porch! She has the video of the whole thing. It was so emotional! Robyn is my best friend from college and has since moved down to Mississippi. We had just gotten to a place in our lives where we were both moms and even got to be pregnant together, so it has been hard having her so far away. I enjoyed every minute I had with her and love everyone involved in the surprise (including my amazing husband who did everything for me and made the event special-I love you)
What amazing friends I have! The whole celebration turning 30 was the best! 
So, this a song by Bruno Mars and I love it! It really makes me think of all the great friends I have and how lucky I am! Thank you to all the greatness that surrounds me!
If you ever find yourself stuck in the middle of the sea,
I'll sail the world to find you
If you ever find yourself lost in the dark and you can't see,
I'll be the light to guide you
Find out what we're made of
When we are called to help our friends in need
You can count on me like 1 2 3
I'll be there
And I know when I need it I can count on you like 4 3 2
And you'll be there
Cause that's what friends are supposed to do, oh yeah
Woooooooh, Woooooooh
Yeah, Yeah
[ Lyrics from: http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/b/bruno_mars/count_on_me.html ]
If you're tossing and you're turning and you just can't fall asleep,
I'll sing a song beside you
And if you ever forget how much you really mean to me,
Everyday I will remind you, ohh
Find out what we're made of
When we are called to help our friends in need
You can count on me like 1 2 3
I'll be there
And I know when I need it I can count on you like 4 3 2
And you'll be there
Cause that's what friends are supposed to do, oh yeah
Wooooooh, Wooooooh
Yeah, Yeah
You'll always have my shoulder when you cry
I'll never let go, never say goodbye
You know you can count on me like 1 2 3
I'll be there
And I know when I need it I can count on you like 4 3 2
And you'll be there
Cause that's what friends are supposed to do, oh yeah
Oohhhh, ohhhhh
You can count on me cause I can count on you
If you ever find yourself stuck in the middle of the sea,
I'll sail the world to find you
If you ever find yourself lost in the dark and you can't see,
I'll be the light to guide you
Find out what we're made of
When we are called to help our friends in need
You can count on me like 1 2 3
I'll be there
And I know when I need it I can count on you like 4 3 2
And you'll be there
Cause that's what friends are supposed to do, oh yeah
Woooooooh, Woooooooh
Yeah, Yeah
[ Lyrics from: http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/b/bruno_mars/count_on_me.html ]
If you're tossing and you're turning and you just can't fall asleep,
I'll sing a song beside you
And if you ever forget how much you really mean to me,
Everyday I will remind you, ohh
Find out what we're made of
When we are called to help our friends in need
You can count on me like 1 2 3
I'll be there
And I know when I need it I can count on you like 4 3 2
And you'll be there
Cause that's what friends are supposed to do, oh yeah
Wooooooh, Wooooooh
Yeah, Yeah
You'll always have my shoulder when you cry
I'll never let go, never say goodbye
You know you can count on me like 1 2 3
I'll be there
And I know when I need it I can count on you like 4 3 2
And you'll be there
Cause that's what friends are supposed to do, oh yeah
Oohhhh, ohhhhh
You can count on me cause I can count on you
How the Watsons Prepare to leave their Kids
My family and friends know I am an organized person (maybe a little obsessive), but I have created this 3 ring binder because since I have gone back to work we leave our kids at home with a wonderful nanny. I wanted to keep our kids on a schedule as well as learn what they do each day! So what would a parent include in a binder? I broke the binder up into sections; a place for Avery, a place for Mack, Medical Release, and ideas for activities (but Miss Mallory has thought of some wonderful activities on her own) Below I am showing you what each section looks like:
__________________________________________________________________
Avery
Schedule: (this schedule will change daily depending on the time she wakes up)
7:30-9:00-she wakes up and has a bottle of whole milk
9:00-eats breakfast-she loves turkey sausages, cream of wheat mixed with milk, applesauce and cinnamon, or yogurt. (usually will need another diaper change)
9:30-12:00-gets dressed, plays, any activities planned for that day. Don’t forget about diaper changes (with the cloth it’s every 2 hours)
12:00-lunch-anything you feel like making (just healthy things)
1:00-3:30/4:00-takes a nap
• when you put her down, she has a diaper change, then gets her blanket and we walk over to turn on the music (just hit play). I put her down on her pillow and say good bye. She usually just goes to sleep. If she does cry let her cry, but no longer than 20 min. If she is still crying after 20 min, check on her.
3:30/4:00-wakes up and has another diaper change and comes downstairs (or plays upstairs) with a small snack (crackers, banana, or whatever you can find)
Likes:
• loves to have a bottle when she wakes up and goes to bed (8 oz of whole milk)
• Her blanket is her security
• Any fruit! We have to watch how much because she gets horrible diaper rashes
• Loves to build things with toys
• Enjoys listening and exploring with books
• Loves meat!
• To take care of her brother and give kisses (just be careful of hitting)
• Playing on the swing and riding in her wagon (or pushing it)
• Loves to dance
Dislikes:
• Hates to have her diaper changed (usually because it hurts)
• Hates to be made to do things (look under frustration as a goal)
Goals:
• Book handling skills
• Stacking
• Fine motor skills (i.e. pinching, tearing, pulling)
• Letters
• Counting (I just count all the time when we are playing-especially when we are cleaning up)
• Frustration-Finding words to use
• Table manners-eating meals at table
• Shapes
__________________________________________________________________
Macklin (Mack)
Schedule: Here is an example of a perfect day, but we know that never happens!
7:30 a.m. eat 6 oz bottle and then he plays and can have some food (cereal)
8:30-9:00 lay down for nap. It is helpful to put him down when he is awake. He sleeps in his sleeper.
10:00 a.m. eat 4 oz bottle (if he seems hungry try another 2 oz) and work on playing with a rattle or have fun with other toys while Avery plays-he is happy to be next to you.
12:00 lunch-whatever is in the freezer
1:00 eat 4 oz bottle and lay down for a nap (after burping)
4:30 eat 4 oz bottle and play
5:00 (only sometimes) nap
Likes:
• To make eye contact and talk to you
• Loves to hear you talk and sing
• He enjoys watching Avery
• Likes his swing and looking at his bears
Dislikes:
• Hates to be put down and left
• Doesn’t like to not have his hands
Goals:
• Is learning to sooth himself with his hands or blanket
• Tummy time and rolling over
• Sitting up and grasping for small objects
• Eating food
• Trying Mum-Mums
• Eating cereal
• Clapping hands
• Listening to books be read out loud and feeling pages
• Place interesting toys just out of reach to encourage him to move towards them. You can do this when he is sitting or on his tummy
• Put pressure on legs when standing up
__________________________________________________________________
Medical Release
March 1, 2011
To whom It May Concern:
We Elizabeth and Mark Watson, parents/guardians of Avery and Macklin Watson hereby grant _____________________ the power to authorize medical treatment in the event of an emergency.
Sincerely.
Elizabeth Watson
Mark Watson
(Attached is a copy of each insurance cards)
___________________________________________________________________
Activities
Playdough- you can even make it
• Basic ingredient ratios:
2 cups flour
2 cups warm water
1 cup salt
2 Tablespoons vegetable oil
1 Tablespoon cream of tartar (optional for improved elasticity)
Pipe cleaners in a bottle:
• Let them put the pipe cleaners in and out of the box
Clothes pins
• Have them pin them onto a side of a bucket
• Work on colors
Cotton balls in rice
• Let her/him dig out the puffs using a spoon.
Any of the games or manipulatives upstairs in closet
Cooking
Dancing to the music in Avery’s room-lots of movement
Blowing bubbles through straw
Story telling-take a well known book and act it out using hand gestures
Making nature collages-walk outside and pick up fun things then glue it all on paper
Work on jumping/hopping/skipping with Avery
Peek-a-boo or hiding an object under a blanket for Mack
Making Gak: Liquid Starch and Glue
Clean Mud (when the weather gets better)-toilet paper and dove soap with water
____________________________________________________________________
A Glimpse into Macklin’s Day-Miss Mallory fills this out each day and they are so detailed
(I couldn't get the graph to transfer)
Date:
Diaper Changes Bottles Something Funny/Interesting I did… Food
B/W B/W
B/W B/W
B/W B/W
Schedule: Here is an example of a perfect day, but we know that never happens!
7:30 a.m. eat 6 oz bottle and then he plays and can have some food (cereal)
8:30-9:00 lay down for nap. It is helpful to put him down when he is awake. He sleeps in his sleeper.
10:00 a.m. eat 4 oz bottle (if he seems hungry try another 2 oz) and work on playing with a rattle or have fun with other toys while Avery plays-he is happy to be next to you.
12:00 lunch-whatever is in the freezer
1:00 eat 4 oz bottle and lay down for a nap (after burping)
4:30 eat 4 oz bottle and play
5:00 (only sometimes) nap
Likes:
• To make eye contact and talk to you
• Loves to hear you talk and sing
• He enjoys watching Avery
• Likes his swing and looking at his bears
Dislikes:
• Hates to be put down and left
• Doesn’t like to not have his hands
Goals:
• Is learning to sooth himself with his hands or blanket
• Tummy time and rolling over
• Sitting up and grasping for small objects
• Eating food
• Trying Mum-Mums
• Eating cereal
• Clapping hands
• Listening to books be read out loud and feeling pages
• Place interesting toys just out of reach to encourage him to move towards them. You can do this when he is sitting or on his tummy
• Put pressure on legs when standing up
__________________________________________________________________
Medical Release
March 1, 2011
To whom It May Concern:
We Elizabeth and Mark Watson, parents/guardians of Avery and Macklin Watson hereby grant _____________________ the power to authorize medical treatment in the event of an emergency.
Sincerely.
Elizabeth Watson
Mark Watson
(Attached is a copy of each insurance cards)
___________________________________________________________________
Activities
Playdough- you can even make it
• Basic ingredient ratios:
2 cups flour
2 cups warm water
1 cup salt
2 Tablespoons vegetable oil
1 Tablespoon cream of tartar (optional for improved elasticity)
Pipe cleaners in a bottle:
• Let them put the pipe cleaners in and out of the box
Clothes pins
• Have them pin them onto a side of a bucket
• Work on colors
Cotton balls in rice
• Let her/him dig out the puffs using a spoon.
Any of the games or manipulatives upstairs in closet
Cooking
Dancing to the music in Avery’s room-lots of movement
Blowing bubbles through straw
Story telling-take a well known book and act it out using hand gestures
Making nature collages-walk outside and pick up fun things then glue it all on paper
Work on jumping/hopping/skipping with Avery
Peek-a-boo or hiding an object under a blanket for Mack
Making Gak: Liquid Starch and Glue
Clean Mud (when the weather gets better)-toilet paper and dove soap with water
____________________________________________________________________
A Glimpse into Macklin’s Day-Miss Mallory fills this out each day and they are so detailed
(I couldn't get the graph to transfer)
Date:
Diaper Changes Bottles Something Funny/Interesting I did… Food
B/W B/W
B/W B/W
B/W B/W
____________________________________________________________________
A Glimpse into Avery's Day
What I ate today... Songs I sang... Books I read... Something interesting I did...
I decided to post this because I had many people interested in what I did. I hope this helps other families when leaving their kids with other people. It has really helped us and I love looking at it everyday when I get home. It is also a great tool to communicate back and forth between us and our nanny (I am always in a rush in the morning and I forget to tell her things).
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